Evaluation of the Effects of Red Grape Juice on Alzheimer's Disease in Rats

• Main Authors: Zahra Siahmard, Hojjatollah Alaei, Parham Reisi, Ali Asghar Pilehvarian Ali Asghar Pilehvarian
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Vesnu Publications 2012-02-01
• Series: مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Streptozotocin; Red grape juice; Morris water maze test; Avoidance learning test
• Online Access: http://jims.mui.ac.ir/index.php/jims/article/view/1645

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. On the other hand, antioxidant agents can affect the consolidation of memory and thus control of Alzheimer's disease. It was indicated that red grape juice contains antioxidant agents. In this study, the effects of red grape juice on speed of learning and consolidation of memory in rats with Alzheimer's were studied. Methods: Alzheimer's was induced by bilateral infusion of streptozotocin (STZ) into the lateral ventricles of brains of male rats. The rats drank 10% red grape juice during 21 days. A passive avoidance learning test was used for measuring memory and learning in rats. Delay in entering the dark room is the most important parameter in avoidance learning test for measurement of memory and learning. Findings: Our results showed that memory and learning in STZ-group decreased significantly compared to the sham group. In contrast, red grape juice intake increased the speed of learning and improvement of memory in rats with Alzheimer's. Conclusion: Similar to other studies, our results indicated that red grape juice can reverse memory deficits caused by STZ.